NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-jury-selection-8da8759352478be8effd3d5734aae35e">hush money trial of Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.

<a href="https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/PDFs/Letter-re-jury-selection-4-8-24.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the Trump jury selection questionnaire

Meanwhile, the jury selection process took a step back when one of the seven jurors who had been picked, an oncology nurse, was dismissed after telling the court that she had become concerned about her ability to be impartial in the first-ever criminal case against a former president.

Although the jurors’ names are being kept confidential, the woman said her family members and friends questioned her about being a juror.

The dismissal leaves six on the panel so far, including a software engineer, an information technology professional, a sales professional, an English teacher and two lawyers.

Twelve more people must still be sworn in, with the judge saying he anticipated opening statements in the landmark case to be given as early as next week.

After dismissing the juror, Judge Juan Merchan ordered journalists in court not to report prospective jurors’ answers to questions about their current and former employers.

He said that “as evidenced by what’s happened already, it’s become a problem.” The answers also will be redacted from court transcripts.

Prosecutors had asked that the employer inquiries be axed from the jury questionnaire. Defense lawyer Todd Blanche responded that “depriving us of the information because of what the press is doing isn’t the answer.”

The judge said he agreed “that that information is necessary.”

The social media posts at issue were made by Trump since Monday, when prosecutors first sought a $3,000 fine for Trump for three Truth Social posts they said violated the order.

Prosecutor Christopher Conroy said several of the posts involved an article that referred to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen as a “serial perjurer,” and one from Wednesday that repeated a claim by a Fox News host that liberal activists were lying to get on the jury.

Trump lawyer Emil Bove said Cohen “has been attacking President Trump in public statements,” and Trump was just replying.

The judge had already scheduled a hearing for next week on the prosecution’s request for contempt sanctions over Trump’s posts.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-criminal-trial-jurors-e47b0494de7688bde0e877ccb90aeca2">The seating of the Manhattan jury</a>&nbsp;— whenever it comes — will be a seminal moment in the case, setting the stage for a trial that will place the former president's legal jeopardy at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-criminal-trial-campaign-833ca03359cb76331f16580ac04e398e">heart of the campaign against Democrat Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and feature potentially unflattering testimony about Trump's private life in the years before he became president.

The process of picking a jury is a critical phase of any criminal trial but especially so when the defendant is a former president and the presumptive Republican nominee.

Prospective jurors have been grilled on their social media posts, personal lives and political views as the lawyers and judge search for biases that would prevent them from being impartial.

Inside the court, there's broad acknowledgment of the futility in trying to find jurors without knowledge of Trump, with a prosecutor this week saying that lawyers were not looking for people who had been “living under a rock for the past eight years.”

To that end, at least some of the jurors selected acknowledged having their own opinions about Trump.

“I find him fascinating and mysterious," one juror selected for the case, an IT professional, said under questioning. “He walks into a room and he sets people off, one way or the other. I find that really interesting. ‘Really? This one guy could do all of this? Wow.’ That’s what I think.”

The process has moved swifter than expected, prompting Trump when leaving the courthouse on Tuesday to complain to reporters that the judge,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-criminal-trial-judge-merchan-c227f5eab200cccffb19ed931b4dac92">Juan Merchan</a>, was “rushing” the trial.

The case centers on a $130,000 payment that Trump's lawyer and personal fixer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-cohen">Michael Cohen</a>, made shortly before the 2016 election to porn actor Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from becoming public in the race's final days.

Prosecutors say Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 and is expected to be a star witness for the prosecution.

Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and his lawyers argue the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He could face up to four years in prison if convicted, though it's not clear that the judge would opt to put him behind bars. Trump would almost certainly appeal any conviction.

The hush money case is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">one of four criminal prosecutions</a>&nbsp;Trump is confronting as he vies to reclaim the White House, but it's possible that it will be the sole case to reach trial before November's presidential election. Appeals and other legal wrangling have caused delays in cases charging Trump with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotting to overturn the 2020 election results</a>&nbsp;and with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">illegally hoarding classified documents</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713452408310.png" alt="Former President Trump after court on Tuesday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Former President Trump after court on Tuesday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-jury-selection-8da8759352478be8effd3d5734aae35e">hush money trial of Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.<a href="https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/PDFs/Letter-re-jury-selection-4-8-24.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the Trump jury selection questionnaireMeanwhile, the jury selection process took a step back when one of the seven jurors who had been picked, an oncology nurse, was dismissed after telling the court that she had become concerned about her ability to be impartial in the first-ever criminal case against a former president.Although the jurors’ names are being kept confidential, the woman said her family members and friends questioned her about being a juror.The dismissal leaves six on the panel so far, including a software engineer, an information technology professional, a sales professional, an English teacher and two lawyers.Twelve more people must still be sworn in, with the judge saying he anticipated opening statements in the landmark case to be given as early as next week.After dismissing the juror, Judge Juan Merchan ordered journalists in court not to report prospective jurors’ answers to questions about their current and former employers.He said that “as evidenced by what’s happened already, it’s become a problem.” The answers also will be redacted from court transcripts.Prosecutors had asked that the employer inquiries be axed from the jury questionnaire. Defense lawyer Todd Blanche responded that “depriving us of the information because of what the press is doing isn’t the answer.”The judge said he agreed “that that information is necessary.”The social media posts at issue were made by Trump since Monday, when prosecutors first sought a $3,000 fine for Trump for three Truth Social posts they said violated the order.Prosecutor Christopher Conroy said several of the posts involved an article that referred to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen as a “serial perjurer,” and one from Wednesday that repeated a claim by a Fox News host that liberal activists were lying to get on the jury.Trump lawyer Emil Bove said Cohen “has been attacking President Trump in public statements,” and Trump was just replying.The judge had already scheduled a hearing for next week on the prosecution’s request for contempt sanctions over Trump’s posts.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-criminal-trial-jurors-e47b0494de7688bde0e877ccb90aeca2">The seating of the Manhattan jury</a>&nbsp;— whenever it comes — will be a seminal moment in the case, setting the stage for a trial that will place the former president's legal jeopardy at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-criminal-trial-campaign-833ca03359cb76331f16580ac04e398e">heart of the campaign against Democrat Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and feature potentially unflattering testimony about Trump's private life in the years before he became president.The process of picking a jury is a critical phase of any criminal trial but especially so when the defendant is a former president and the presumptive Republican nominee.Prospective jurors have been grilled on their social media posts, personal lives and political views as the lawyers and judge search for biases that would prevent them from being impartial.Inside the court, there's broad acknowledgment of the futility in trying to find jurors without knowledge of Trump, with a prosecutor this week saying that lawyers were not looking for people who had been “living under a rock for the past eight years.”To that end, at least some of the jurors selected acknowledged having their own opinions about Trump.“I find him fascinating and mysterious," one juror selected for the case, an IT professional, said under questioning. “He walks into a room and he sets people off, one way or the other. I find that really interesting. ‘Really? This one guy could do all of this? Wow.’ That’s what I think.”The process has moved swifter than expected, prompting Trump when leaving the courthouse on Tuesday to complain to reporters that the judge,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-criminal-trial-judge-merchan-c227f5eab200cccffb19ed931b4dac92">Juan Merchan</a>, was “rushing” the trial.The case centers on a $130,000 payment that Trump's lawyer and personal fixer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-cohen">Michael Cohen</a>, made shortly before the 2016 election to porn actor Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from becoming public in the race's final days.Prosecutors say Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 and is expected to be a star witness for the prosecution.Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and his lawyers argue the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He could face up to four years in prison if convicted, though it's not clear that the judge would opt to put him behind bars. Trump would almost certainly appeal any conviction.The hush money case is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">one of four criminal prosecutions</a>&nbsp;Trump is confronting as he vies to reclaim the White House, but it's possible that it will be the sole case to reach trial before November's presidential election. Appeals and other legal wrangling have caused delays in cases charging Trump with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotting to overturn the 2020 election results</a>&nbsp;and with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">illegally hoarding classified documents</a>.

Trump judge warns media after intimidated juror dismissed

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly knife attack and have identified the victim as&nbsp;Ross L. Fapp, 79, of Topeka.

Just after 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, police responded to the 400 Block of SW Woodlawn Avenue in Topeka on the report of a stabbing, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

Officers located two individuals suffering from a stab wound. Both individuals were transported to a local area hospital where Ross Frapp died. The other individual’s injuries were considered non-life threatening.&nbsp;

A third person later identified as 38-year-old Robert W. Fapp of Topeka, who was believed to be involved in the incident, was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Law Enforcement center to speak with detectives.

As a result of the investigation, Fapp was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections where he was booked in on requested charges of&nbsp;Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony and Aggravated Battery, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713348409313.png" alt="Fapp photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Fapp photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly knife attack and have identified the victim as&nbsp;Ross L. Fapp, 79, of Topeka.Just after 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, police responded to the 400 Block of SW Woodlawn Avenue in Topeka on the report of a stabbing, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.Officers located two individuals suffering from a stab wound. Both individuals were transported to a local area hospital where Ross Frapp died. The other individual’s injuries were considered non-life threatening.&nbsp;A third person later identified as 38-year-old Robert W. Fapp of Topeka, who was believed to be involved in the incident, was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Law Enforcement center to speak with detectives.As a result of the investigation, Fapp was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections where he was booked in on requested charges of&nbsp;Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony and Aggravated Battery, according to online jail records.

Police ID 79-year-old victim in deadly Kansas knife attack

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — State universities in Kansas are banned from requiring prospective students, potential hires and staffers seeking promotion to disclose their views on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diversity-equity-inclusion-universities-ban-kansas-69ba2c0492944b76772353289e565b19">diversity initiatives</a>&nbsp;under a policy change approved Wednesday by the state's higher education board in response to pressure from the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The Kansas Board of Regents revised policy language that currently emphasizes “multiculturism and diversity” on campus by adding language barring universities from requiring statements “pledging allegiance to, support for or opposition to” diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in applications for admission, hiring or promotion — without setting any penalties for violations. Board members voiced no opposition during a meeting livestreamed from Fort Hays State University in western Kansas.

Regents Chairman Jon Rolph called the change “our good faith effort in trying to listen to the Legislature” and said discussions about it began last summer.

“It’s not something central to our practices around wanting student success and trying to fulfill our promises to people when we invite them onto our campuses,” said Rolph, CEO of a Wichita-based company operating more than 150 restaurants.

The board's action came with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly facing similar pressure to sign the same policy into law. Lawmakers approved a bill with the same restrictions that also would allow a fine of up to $10,000 for a violation.

Separately, the next state budget approved by lawmakers includes provisions that withhold nearly $36 million from the state universities unless they publicly confirm that they don't have such requirements. Kelly has until Friday to act on the bill and until April 25 to act on the budget provisions.

“I don’t think we ever would have had a state law if this was their policy at the outset,” Republican state Sen. J.R. Claeys, the author of the budget provisions, said ahead of Wednesday's board discussion.

Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-state-legislation-diversity-4d80ec7e9d372e74b129efc402ac0b76">in at least 20 states</a>&nbsp;have sought to limit DEI initiatives, arguing that they are discriminatory and enforce a liberal political orthodoxy.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-legislature-dei-2a4d677d7488d45b0188e0d2f6aa6029">Alabama</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-government-college-university-dei-cox-efdf4862d8a2b96d28606dcb8ce30ca8?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">Utah</a>&nbsp;enacted new anti-DEI laws this year, and a ban enacted in Texas last year has led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-texas-university-job-cuts-939b334d85108e498c0f85d2ad44ebc2">more than 100 job cuts</a>&nbsp;on University of Texas campuses.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unc-dei-north-carolina-board-of-governors-873a0d34b86c31ca4b2ba0e9068b3536">North Carolina's</a>&nbsp;governing board for 17 universities, including the University of North Carolina's flagship Chapel Hill campus, could put the jobs of DEI staff on a path toward elimination through a similar policy change next month.

Claeys, who is also an adviser to GOP Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, another DEI critic, said a new regents policy is a positive step because it ensures that all of the universities are following the same guidelines.

But, he added, “I wouldn’t expect them to enact any enforcement on themselves.”

Others say that such policies reflect “a gross misrepresentation” of the purpose behind DEI statements from applicants. The American Psychological Association defines&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/equity-diversity-inclusion">diversity, equity and inclusion</a>&nbsp;as a framework to guide “fair treatment and full participation of all people,” especially those in minority groups.

“The intended purpose is to provide an opportunity for prospective employees to reflect on their experiences and how those experiences complement the mission and values of an institution to support a diverse campus community,” said Paulette Granberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Educations, in an email statement.

It's unclear how widespread required DEI-related statements on applications are. GOP lawmakers have said they are responding to complaints and applications they’d seen online, but Rolph said Wednesday that the practice was mostly abandoned over the past year.

Granberry Russell said she was unaware of any university expecting students, job applicants or employees to actually “pledge allegiance to diversity.”

<a href="https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/reviewing-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-spending-and-foreign-income-at-state-universities/">A legislative audit</a>&nbsp;released in February said that just 1.6% of spending by Kansas’ six state universities — $45 million — went to DEI initiatives but noted that each university defined DEI differently. Besides initiatives traditionally seen as DEI, such as training and recruiting, resources included food pantries for poor students and services for military veterans and disabled students.

Kelly told reporters after a Tuesday event that she has not had time to review&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2105_enrolled.pdf">the anti-DEI bill</a>. While the bill specifically mentions diversity, equity and inclusion, it also says universities cannot require a statement about “any political ideology or movement.”

Last year, Kelly used her power under the state constitution to veto individual budget provisions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/culture-war-kansas-abortion-diversity-eb8c355ac54b19c5efc80090accb9ce9">to scuttle anti-DEI provisions</a>&nbsp;in the current budget, and GOP lawmakers did not have the two-thirds majorities necessary in both chambers to override her actions.

But Kelly also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/esg-woke-investing-kansas-culture-war-vetoes-20842bdda84432add49f267adb897df3">signed legislation</a>&nbsp;last year that bars Kansas officials from using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-esg-investing-3a98b6f584357b8e10c31b1ff93ce4b6">environmental, social and governance</a>&nbsp;factors in investing public funds or deciding who receives government contracts.

“Sometimes those bills, you know, they really don’t do much, and the universities can continue to function the way they need to function,” Kelly said Tuesday. “So, I need to figure out or look at how impactful that will be.”

By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — State universities in Kansas are banned from requiring prospective students, potential hires and staffers seeking promotion to disclose their views on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diversity-equity-inclusion-universities-ban-kansas-69ba2c0492944b76772353289e565b19">diversity initiatives</a>&nbsp;under a policy change approved Wednesday by the state's higher education board in response to pressure from the Republican-controlled Legislature.The Kansas Board of Regents revised policy language that currently emphasizes “multiculturism and diversity” on campus by adding language barring universities from requiring statements “pledging allegiance to, support for or opposition to” diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in applications for admission, hiring or promotion — without setting any penalties for violations. Board members voiced no opposition during a meeting livestreamed from Fort Hays State University in western Kansas.Regents Chairman Jon Rolph called the change “our good faith effort in trying to listen to the Legislature” and said discussions about it began last summer.“It’s not something central to our practices around wanting student success and trying to fulfill our promises to people when we invite them onto our campuses,” said Rolph, CEO of a Wichita-based company operating more than 150 restaurants.The board's action came with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly facing similar pressure to sign the same policy into law. Lawmakers approved a bill with the same restrictions that also would allow a fine of up to $10,000 for a violation.Separately, the next state budget approved by lawmakers includes provisions that withhold nearly $36 million from the state universities unless they publicly confirm that they don't have such requirements. Kelly has until Friday to act on the bill and until April 25 to act on the budget provisions.“I don’t think we ever would have had a state law if this was their policy at the outset,” Republican state Sen. J.R. Claeys, the author of the budget provisions, said ahead of Wednesday's board discussion.Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-state-legislation-diversity-4d80ec7e9d372e74b129efc402ac0b76">in at least 20 states</a>&nbsp;have sought to limit DEI initiatives, arguing that they are discriminatory and enforce a liberal political orthodoxy.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-legislature-dei-2a4d677d7488d45b0188e0d2f6aa6029">Alabama</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-government-college-university-dei-cox-efdf4862d8a2b96d28606dcb8ce30ca8?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">Utah</a>&nbsp;enacted new anti-DEI laws this year, and a ban enacted in Texas last year has led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-texas-university-job-cuts-939b334d85108e498c0f85d2ad44ebc2">more than 100 job cuts</a>&nbsp;on University of Texas campuses.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unc-dei-north-carolina-board-of-governors-873a0d34b86c31ca4b2ba0e9068b3536">North Carolina's</a>&nbsp;governing board for 17 universities, including the University of North Carolina's flagship Chapel Hill campus, could put the jobs of DEI staff on a path toward elimination through a similar policy change next month.Claeys, who is also an adviser to GOP Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, another DEI critic, said a new regents policy is a positive step because it ensures that all of the universities are following the same guidelines.But, he added, “I wouldn’t expect them to enact any enforcement on themselves.”Others say that such policies reflect “a gross misrepresentation” of the purpose behind DEI statements from applicants. The American Psychological Association defines&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/equity-diversity-inclusion">diversity, equity and inclusion</a>&nbsp;as a framework to guide “fair treatment and full participation of all people,” especially those in minority groups.“The intended purpose is to provide an opportunity for prospective employees to reflect on their experiences and how those experiences complement the mission and values of an institution to support a diverse campus community,” said Paulette Granberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Educations, in an email statement.It's unclear how widespread required DEI-related statements on applications are. GOP lawmakers have said they are responding to complaints and applications they’d seen online, but Rolph said Wednesday that the practice was mostly abandoned over the past year.Granberry Russell said she was unaware of any university expecting students, job applicants or employees to actually “pledge allegiance to diversity.”<a href="https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/reviewing-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-spending-and-foreign-income-at-state-universities/">A legislative audit</a>&nbsp;released in February said that just 1.6% of spending by Kansas’ six state universities — $45 million — went to DEI initiatives but noted that each university defined DEI differently. Besides initiatives traditionally seen as DEI, such as training and recruiting, resources included food pantries for poor students and services for military veterans and disabled students.Kelly told reporters after a Tuesday event that she has not had time to review&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2105_enrolled.pdf">the anti-DEI bill</a>. While the bill specifically mentions diversity, equity and inclusion, it also says universities cannot require a statement about “any political ideology or movement.”Last year, Kelly used her power under the state constitution to veto individual budget provisions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/culture-war-kansas-abortion-diversity-eb8c355ac54b19c5efc80090accb9ce9">to scuttle anti-DEI provisions</a>&nbsp;in the current budget, and GOP lawmakers did not have the two-thirds majorities necessary in both chambers to override her actions.But Kelly also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/esg-woke-investing-kansas-culture-war-vetoes-20842bdda84432add49f267adb897df3">signed legislation</a>&nbsp;last year that bars Kansas officials from using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-esg-investing-3a98b6f584357b8e10c31b1ff93ce4b6">environmental, social and governance</a>&nbsp;factors in investing public funds or deciding who receives government contracts.“Sometimes those bills, you know, they really don’t do much, and the universities can continue to function the way they need to function,” Kelly said Tuesday. “So, I need to figure out or look at how impactful that will be.”

Kansas' higher ed board adopts an anti-DEI policy after pressure from GOP legislators

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma judge ordered public defenders to represent four members of an anti-government group who appeared in court Wednesday on charges of kidnapping and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bodies-found-missing-kansas-women-search-oklahoma-91796a0b0b4d02db3d593da9c1bf0f5a">killing two Kansas women</a>.

The judge also entered not-guilty pleas and denied bail for Tifany Adams, 54, and her boyfriend, Tad Cullum, 43, both of Keyes, Oklahoma, as well as Cole and Cora Twombly of Texhoma, Oklahoma.

Texas County Associate District Judge Clark Jett assigned the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to represent all four defendants, OIDS Executive Director Tim Laughlin told The Associated Press. Laughlin declined to comment about any details of the case or the defendants, citing his agency's policy.

“The reason we don’t comment is to protect our client’s privileges and our client’s interest throughout the trial process,” Laughlin said.

All four are charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy in the killing of 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley of Hugoton, Kansas, who disappeared on May 30 while driving to Oklahoma to pick up Butler's children and attend a birthday party.

During an interview with investigators, Adams, the children's grandmother, admitted she was responsible for the deaths of Butler and Kelley, according to a prosecutor's motion for the defendants to be held without bond.

“Adams, Cullum, Cora and Cole have resources sufficient to organize and execute a complex murder,” OSBI Lt. Amie Gates wrote in an affidavit. “Therefore, they also have the resources to flee if given the opportunity.”

Adam and Cullum also own numerous firearms, and Cullum had a rifle, ammunition, body armor and a “go-bag” prepared at his home, the affidavit says.

Authorities say Adams and Butler were in the middle of a bitter custody battle. Kelley, a pastor's wife, went along with Butler as a court-approved observer to supervise the visit. They never showed up for the party, setting off a two week search that ended with the two couples' arrests on Saturday and the discovery of the bodies on Sunday.

Arrest affidavits painted a gruesome picture of the scene where the women's car was found, not far from the rural highway intersection where Butler had arranged to pick up her son and daughter from Adams. Investigators found blood on the road and Butler’s glasses near a broken hammer.

According to a witness who spoke to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents, all four suspects were part of “an anti-government group that had a religious affiliation." The affidavits said they called themselves “God’s Misfits” and held regular meetings at the home of the Twomblys and another couple who Adams said watched the children the day the women disappeared.

Relatives of Tad Cullum and the Twomblys have not returned phone messages seeking comment. Tifany Adams’ stepmother, Elise Adams, said she had no information to share.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713437260081.png" alt="54-year-old Tifany Machel Adams-photo Texas Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>54-year-old Tifany Machel Adams-photo Texas Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma judge ordered public defenders to represent four members of an anti-government group who appeared in court Wednesday on charges of kidnapping and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bodies-found-missing-kansas-women-search-oklahoma-91796a0b0b4d02db3d593da9c1bf0f5a">killing two Kansas women</a>.The judge also entered not-guilty pleas and denied bail for Tifany Adams, 54, and her boyfriend, Tad Cullum, 43, both of Keyes, Oklahoma, as well as Cole and Cora Twombly of Texhoma, Oklahoma.Texas County Associate District Judge Clark Jett assigned the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to represent all four defendants, OIDS Executive Director Tim Laughlin told The Associated Press. Laughlin declined to comment about any details of the case or the defendants, citing his agency's policy.“The reason we don’t comment is to protect our client’s privileges and our client’s interest throughout the trial process,” Laughlin said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713359723848.jpeg" alt="Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley-photo Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley-photo Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>All four are charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy in the killing of 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley of Hugoton, Kansas, who disappeared on May 30 while driving to Oklahoma to pick up Butler's children and attend a birthday party.During an interview with investigators, Adams, the children's grandmother, admitted she was responsible for the deaths of Butler and Kelley, according to a prosecutor's motion for the defendants to be held without bond.“Adams, Cullum, Cora and Cole have resources sufficient to organize and execute a complex murder,” OSBI Lt. Amie Gates wrote in an affidavit. “Therefore, they also have the resources to flee if given the opportunity.”Adam and Cullum also own numerous firearms, and Cullum had a rifle, ammunition, body armor and a “go-bag” prepared at his home, the affidavit says.Authorities say Adams and Butler were in the middle of a bitter custody battle. Kelley, a pastor's wife, went along with Butler as a court-approved observer to supervise the visit. They never showed up for the party, setting off a two week search that ended with the two couples' arrests on Saturday and the discovery of the bodies on Sunday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713056452999.png" alt="Counterclockwise from top-43-year-old Tad Bert Cullum; 54-year-old Tifany Machel Adams, 50-year-old Cole Earl Twombly, and 44-year-old Cora Twombly -photos Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation" />
 <figcaption>Counterclockwise from top-43-year-old Tad Bert Cullum; 54-year-old Tifany Machel Adams, 50-year-old Cole Earl Twombly, and 44-year-old Cora Twombly -photos Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation</figcaption>
 </figure>Arrest affidavits painted a gruesome picture of the scene where the women's car was found, not far from the rural highway intersection where Butler had arranged to pick up her son and daughter from Adams. Investigators found blood on the road and Butler’s glasses near a broken hammer.According to a witness who spoke to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents, all four suspects were part of “an anti-government group that had a religious affiliation." The affidavits said they called themselves “God’s Misfits” and held regular meetings at the home of the Twomblys and another couple who Adams said watched the children the day the women disappeared.Relatives of Tad Cullum and the Twomblys have not returned phone messages seeking comment. Tifany Adams’ stepmother, Elise Adams, said she had no information to share.

Grandmother admits responsibility for death of 2 missing Kan. women

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly accidental shooting.

Tuesday evening, police responded to calls of a shooting at a home in 7400 block of East 51st Street, according to KCPD

First responders found a five-year-old boy with a gunshot wound.

EMS transported the boy to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; An investigation determined the shooting was accidental and self-inflicted.&nbsp; Police have not released the child's name, how he was able to get to the gun and if possible charges will be filed.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly accidental shooting.Tuesday evening, police responded to calls of a shooting at a home in 7400 block of East 51st Street, according to KCPDFirst responders found a five-year-old boy with a gunshot wound.EMS transported the boy to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; An investigation determined the shooting was accidental and self-inflicted.&nbsp; Police have not released the child's name, how he was able to get to the gun and if possible charges will be filed.

Police: 5-year-old dies after shooting at KC home

SEWARD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating alleged child sex crimes and after asking the public for help have reported the arrest of 33-year-old Adolfo Marcus Calleja, according to a statement from Liberal, Kansas Police.

Calleja is being held in Seward County on requested charges that includes counts of sexual exploitation of a child, electronic solicitation and aggravated sexual battery. Police believe he left Liberal when he became aware of the criminal investigation. Police have not reported where they made the arrest or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713261053200.png" alt="Calleja photo Liberal Police" />
 <figcaption>Calleja photo Liberal Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEWARD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating alleged child sex crimes and after asking the public for help have reported the arrest of 33-year-old Adolfo Marcus Calleja, according to a statement from Liberal, Kansas Police.Calleja is being held in Seward County on requested charges that includes counts of sexual exploitation of a child, electronic solicitation and aggravated sexual battery. Police believe he left Liberal when he became aware of the criminal investigation. Police have not reported where they made the arrest or additional details.

Police capture alleged SW Kansas sex crime suspect

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A campaign to legalize abortion in Missouri on Tuesday announced it raised close to $5 million in the past three months, a fundraising sprint crucial to getting the measure on this year's ballot.

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom announced it brought in more than $4.8 million from January through the end of March. A rival anti-abortion campaign raised $85,000 in the same time period.

If approved by voters, the Missouri measure would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. Lawmakers would still be able to regulate abortion after fetal viability.

Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-missouri-government-and-politics-7bb5798bae32c3f15abad3a10941dfb5">outlawed almost all abortions</a>&nbsp;with no exceptions in the case of rape or incest immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Missouri law only allows abortions for medical emergencies.

The abortion-rights campaign has until May 5 to gather signatures from 8% of legal voters in any six of the eight congressional districts. At minimum, that represents more than 171,000 valid voter signatures.

So far, the campaign has spent more than $3.4 million. Most of that — about $3.2 million — has gone to signature gathering and processing.

In Ohio,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-amendment-election-2023-fe3e06747b616507d8ca21ea26485270">a successful 2023 initiative</a>&nbsp;guaranteeing abortion rights cost a combined $70 million. Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, the campaign in favor of the initiative, raised and spent more than $39.5 million to pass the constitutional amendment. Protect Women Ohio, the campaign against it, raised and spent about $30.4 million.

It's unclear how close the Missouri campaign is to collecting the needed 171,000 signatures. The campaign said workers gathered close to 20,000 signatures in a one-day blitz on April 2 but declined to provide total signature numbers.

Monday was also the deadline for Missouri candidates to report recent fundraising.

Democrat Lucas Kunce outraised incumbent U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, bringing in more than $2.2 million to Hawley's $850,000. St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell raised $952,000 compared to his Democratic rival U.S. Rep. Cori Bush's $590,000.

Top Missouri gubernatorial fundraisers were Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe, who raised almost $557,000, and Democrat Mike Hamra. Hamra raised $512,000, including $500,000 in self-funding.

Most Missouri candidates also have political action committees that can fundraise and spend money to help elect them but cannot directly coordinate with the candidates or their campaigns. The numbers reported above do not include PAC fundraising.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713434672122.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A campaign to legalize abortion in Missouri on Tuesday announced it raised close to $5 million in the past three months, a fundraising sprint crucial to getting the measure on this year's ballot.Missourians for Constitutional Freedom announced it brought in more than $4.8 million from January through the end of March. A rival anti-abortion campaign raised $85,000 in the same time period.If approved by voters, the Missouri measure would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. Lawmakers would still be able to regulate abortion after fetal viability.Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-missouri-government-and-politics-7bb5798bae32c3f15abad3a10941dfb5">outlawed almost all abortions</a>&nbsp;with no exceptions in the case of rape or incest immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Missouri law only allows abortions for medical emergencies.The abortion-rights campaign has until May 5 to gather signatures from 8% of legal voters in any six of the eight congressional districts. At minimum, that represents more than 171,000 valid voter signatures.So far, the campaign has spent more than $3.4 million. Most of that — about $3.2 million — has gone to signature gathering and processing.In Ohio,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-amendment-election-2023-fe3e06747b616507d8ca21ea26485270">a successful 2023 initiative</a>&nbsp;guaranteeing abortion rights cost a combined $70 million. Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, the campaign in favor of the initiative, raised and spent more than $39.5 million to pass the constitutional amendment. Protect Women Ohio, the campaign against it, raised and spent about $30.4 million.It's unclear how close the Missouri campaign is to collecting the needed 171,000 signatures. The campaign said workers gathered close to 20,000 signatures in a one-day blitz on April 2 but declined to provide total signature numbers.Monday was also the deadline for Missouri candidates to report recent fundraising.Democrat Lucas Kunce outraised incumbent U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, bringing in more than $2.2 million to Hawley's $850,000. St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell raised $952,000 compared to his Democratic rival U.S. Rep. Cori Bush's $590,000.Top Missouri gubernatorial fundraisers were Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe, who raised almost $557,000, and Democrat Mike Hamra. Hamra raised $512,000, including $500,000 in self-funding.Most Missouri candidates also have political action committees that can fundraise and spend money to help elect them but cannot directly coordinate with the candidates or their campaigns. The numbers reported above do not include PAC fundraising.

Campaign to legalize abortion in Missouri raises nearly $5M in 3 months

CHEROKEE COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a Kansas police lieutenant for alleged child sex crimes.

Just after 7a.m. Wednesday, KBI agents arrested David Justice, 55, of Baxter Springs, near his residence, according to a media release from the agency.

Justice was arrested on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and promoting obscenity to a minor. The Kansas Highway Patrol assisted with the arrest.

The Columbus Police Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office asked the KBI to investigate the allegations in February 2023. Justice served as a Lieutenant with the Columbus Police Department, but has been on unpaid administrative leave since February 2023, when the allegations were reported.&nbsp;

KBI agents executed several search warrants to obtain evidence in the case. Following the arrest, Justice was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on a $25,000 bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713376442774.png" alt="Justice -photo Cherokee Co." />
 <figcaption>Justice -photo Cherokee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CHEROKEE COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a Kansas police lieutenant for alleged child sex crimes.Just after 7a.m. Wednesday, KBI agents arrested David Justice, 55, of Baxter Springs, near his residence, according to a media release from the agency.Justice was arrested on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and promoting obscenity to a minor. The Kansas Highway Patrol assisted with the arrest.The Columbus Police Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office asked the KBI to investigate the allegations in February 2023. Justice served as a Lieutenant with the Columbus Police Department, but has been on unpaid administrative leave since February 2023, when the allegations were reported.&nbsp;KBI agents executed several search warrants to obtain evidence in the case. Following the arrest, Justice was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on a $25,000 bond.&nbsp;

 Kansas police lieutenant jailed for alleged child sex crimes

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment Wednesday charging&nbsp;a Kansas woman with making threats against current and former nationally elected officials.

According to court documents, Lori Davis, 40, of Park City is charged with one count of threats against a former president of the United States and one count of threats against the president of the United States.

In 2024, Davis is accused of making multiple posts on social media threatening to murder U.S. President Joseph (Joe) Biden.

Davis is accused of calling the Clinton Foundation in New York in September 2021 and leaving a message threatening to kill former U.S. President William (Bill) Clinton.

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706658659007.png" alt="File photo White House&nbsp;&nbsp;The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case." />
 <figcaption>File photo White House&nbsp;&nbsp;The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment Wednesday charging&nbsp;a Kansas woman with making threats against current and former nationally elected officials.According to court documents, Lori Davis, 40, of Park City is charged with one count of threats against a former president of the United States and one count of threats against the president of the United States.In 2024, Davis is accused of making multiple posts on social media threatening to murder U.S. President Joseph (Joe) Biden.Davis is accused of calling the Clinton Foundation in New York in September 2021 and leaving a message threatening to kill former U.S. President William (Bill) Clinton.The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case

Kan. woman accused of social media threat to kill President Biden 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has dismissed all impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alejandro-mayorkas">Alejandro Mayorkas</a>, ending the House Republican push to remove the Cabinet secretary from office over his handling of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-security-migrants-homeland-security-1c6e9f612dff721191c0254f980947a5">the U.S.-Mexico border</a>&nbsp;and ending his trial before arguments even began.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?534981-1/senate-session&amp;live">Click here to watch a replay of the Senate</a>&nbsp;impeachment debate.

<a href="https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2024/01/Articles-of-Impeachment.pdf">Click here to read full</a>&nbsp;articles of impeachment against Sec. Mayorkas

Senators voted to dismiss both articles of impeachment and end the trial, with Democrats arguing that the articles were unconstitutional. The first article charged Mayorkas with “willful and systemic refusal to comply" with immigration law. The second article charged Mayorkas with a “breach of trust” for saying the border was secure. The votes were 51-48 and 51-49, both along party lines.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the House Republicans’ case failed to meet “the high standard of high crimes and misdemeanors” and could set a dangerous precedent.

“For the sake of the Senate’s integrity and to protect impeachment for those rare cases we truly need it, senators should dismiss today’s charges,” said Schumer, D-N.Y., as he opened Wednesday’s session.

Senate Republicans had argued for a full impeachment trial after the House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-mayorkas-impeachment-vote-border-security-80cbd5bbb8f512c6814f155f825a1214">narrowly voted</a>&nbsp;in February to impeach Mayorkas for his handling of the border, arguing in the two articles that he “willfully and systematically” refused to enforce immigration laws. The House vote was the first time in nearly 150 years that a Cabinet secretary was impeached.

An outright dismissal of House Republicans’ prosecution of Mayorkas, with no chance to argue the case, is an embarrassing defeat for House Republicans and embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who made the impeachment a priority. And it is likely to resonate politically for both Republicans and Democrats in a presidential election year when border security has been a top issue.

Republicans argue that President Joe Biden has been weak on the border as arrests for illegal crossings skyrocketed to more than 2 million people during the last two years of his term, though they have fallen from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-crossings-mexico-biden-18ac91ef502e0c5433f74de6cc629b32">a record-high</a>&nbsp;of 250,000 in December amid heightened enforcement in Mexico. Democrats say that instead of impeaching Mayorkas, Republicans should have accepted a bipartisan Senate compromise aimed at reducing the number of migrants who come into the U.S. illegally.

House impeachment managers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-mayorkas-impeachment-trial-border-security-63e9ec242ec8a2f0a95f84497c506e0d">delivered the charges to the Senate</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, standing in the well of the Senate and reading them aloud to a captive audience of senators. But they did not get a chance to present the case before the Senate dismissed it.

Once the senators were sworn in on Wednesday, the chamber turned into the court of impeachment, with Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington presiding. Murray is the president pro tempore of the Senate, or the senior-most member of the majority party who sits in for the vice president. Senators approached the front of the Senate in groups of four to sign an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/political-news-57ef0cdd29d9875b13713f4974eab9d5">oath book</a>&nbsp;that is stored in the National Archives.

Schumer then called for the votes to dismiss the trial after Republicans rejected a proposed agreement for Senate debate time and several votes on GOP objections. Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt said Democrats were “bulldozing 200 years of precedent" on impeachments by trying to dismiss the trial.

Angry Republicans called for several votes to delay the inevitable final outcome, but none of them passed as all Democrats and three Independents held together.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said “history will not judge this moment well.”

“This process must not be abused," McConnell said. "It must not be short-circuited."

Still, Republicans similarly moved to dismiss former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial in 2021, weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2021-united-states-capitol-riot">the Jan. 6, 2021, attack</a>&nbsp;on the Capitol. All but five GOP senators — including McConnell — voted to end the trial, arguing it was unconstitutional because Trump had already left office.

As Johnson signed the articles Monday in preparation for sending them across the Capitol, he said Schumer should convene a trial to “hold those who engineered this crisis to full account.”

Schumer “is the only impediment to delivering accountability for the American people,” Johnson said. “Pursuant to the Constitution, the House demands a trial.”

Even if the Senate held a trial, Republicans would not be able to win the support of the two-thirds of the Senate that is needed to convict and remove Mayorkas from office — Democrats control the Senate, 51-49, and they appear to be united against the impeachment effort. Not one House Democrat supported it, either.

Mayorkas, who was in New York on Wednesday to launch a campaign for children’s online safety, reiterated that he’s focused on the work of his department. “The Senate is going to do what the Senate considers to be appropriate as that proceeds,” he said. “I am here in New York City on Wednesday morning fighting online sexual exploitation and abuse. I’m focused on our mission.”

Johnson delayed sending the articles to the Senate for weeks while both chambers finished work on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-shutdown-budget-speaker-johnson-85dc1e93f6c49c154c02a166d0e8e784">government funding</a>&nbsp;legislation and took a two-week recess. Johnson had said he would send them to the Senate last week, but he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mayorkas-impeachment-house-speaker-johnson-border-534cbf59e92c9cf141bba1ff38dc01cf">punted again</a>&nbsp;after Senate Republicans said they wanted more time to prepare.

At a hearing with Mayorkas on Tuesday about President Joe Biden's budget request for the department, some of the House impeachment managers previewed the arguments they would have made.

Tennessee Rep. Mark Green, the chairman of the House Homeland Security panel, told the secretary that he has a duty under the law to control and guard U.S. borders, and “during your three years as secretary, you have failed to fulfill this oath. You have refused to comply with the laws passed by Congress, and you have breached the public trust.”

Mayorkas defended the department's efforts but said the nation's immigration system is “fundamentally broken, and only Congress can fix it."

The impeachment trial is the third in five years. Democrats impeached President Donald Trump twice, once over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-politics-election-2020-d78192d45b176f73ad435ae9fb926ed3">his dealings with Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-impeachment-vote-capitol-siege-0a6f2a348a6e43f27d5e1dc486027860">second time</a>&nbsp;in the days after the Capitol attack.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-ut-state-wire-acquittals-politics-93c85dcfb0e6b2185391965e77ebea51">Trump was acquitted</a>&nbsp;by the Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-riots-trials-impeachments-b245b52fd7d4a079ae199c954baba452">both times</a>.

If the Senate had moved to a trial on Mayorkas, senators would have been forced to sit in their seats for the duration, maybe weeks, while the House impeachment managers and lawyers representing Mayorkas made their cases.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has voted to dismiss the first of two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alejandro-mayorkas">Alejandro Mayorkas</a>, the first step in ending its trial on his handling of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-security-migrants-homeland-security-1c6e9f612dff721191c0254f980947a5">the U.S.-Mexico border</a>,

Democrats said the article, which charged Mayorkas with “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law,” is unconstitutional. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for a second vote that would dismiss the second article, which charges Mayorkas with a breach of trust over saying that the border was secure.

The vote to dismiss the first article was 51-48 along party lines, with Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voting “present.”

If the Senate votes to dismiss both articles, the trial will be over before arguments start. Schumer said the House Republicans' case fails to meet "the high standard of high crimes and misdemeanors" and could set a dangerous precedent.

“For the sake of the Senate's integrity and to protect impeachment for those rare cases we truly need it, senators should dismiss today's charges,” said Schumer, D-N.Y., as he opened Wednesday's session.

The House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-mayorkas-impeachment-vote-border-security-80cbd5bbb8f512c6814f155f825a1214">narrowly voted</a>&nbsp;in February to impeach Mayorkas for his handling of the border, arguing in the two articles that he “willfully and systematically” refused to enforce immigration laws. House impeachment managers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-mayorkas-impeachment-trial-border-security-63e9ec242ec8a2f0a95f84497c506e0d">delivered the charges to the Senate</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, standing in the well of the Senate and reading them aloud to a captive audience of senators.

An outright dismissal of House Republicans’ prosecution of Mayorkas, with no chance to argue the case, would be an embarrassing defeat for House Republicans and embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who made the impeachment a priority. And it is likely to resonate politically for both Republicans and Democrats in a presidential election year when border security has been a top issue.

Schumer then called for the votes to dismiss the trial after Republicans rejected a proposed agreement for Senate debate time and several votes on GOP objections. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called for a delay in the proceedings while Republican senators huddled on the floor to discuss how to proceed and called for several votes to delay the final outcome. All the votes were party-line.

In any case, Republicans would not be able to win the support of the two-thirds of the Senate that is needed to convict and remove Mayorkas from office — Democrats control the Senate, 51-49, and they appear to be united against the impeachment effort. Not one House Democrat supported it, either.

While most Republicans oppose quick dismissal, some have hinted they could vote with Democrats.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said last week he wasn’t sure what he would do if there were a move to dismiss the trial. “I think it’s virtually certain that there will not be the conviction of someone when the constitutional test has not been met,” he said.

At the same time, Romney said he wants to at least express his view that “Mayorkas has done a terrible job, but he’s following the direction of the president and has not met the constitutional test of a high crime or misdemeanor.”

The two articles argue that Mayorkas not only refused to enforce existing law but also breached the public trust by lying to Congress and saying the border was secure. The House vote was the first time in nearly 150 years that a Cabinet secretary was impeached.

Since then, Johnson delayed sending the articles to the Senate for weeks while both chambers finished work on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-shutdown-budget-speaker-johnson-85dc1e93f6c49c154c02a166d0e8e784">government funding</a>&nbsp;legislation and took a two-week recess. Johnson had said he would send them to the Senate last week, but he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mayorkas-impeachment-house-speaker-johnson-border-534cbf59e92c9cf141bba1ff38dc01cf">punted again</a>&nbsp;after Senate Republicans said they wanted more time to prepare.

House impeachment managers previewed some of their arguments at a hearing with Mayorkas on Tuesday morning about President Joe Biden's budget request for the department.

Other impeachment managers are Michael McCaul of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ben Cline of Virginia, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Laurel Lee of Florida, August Plfuger of Texas and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

If Democrats were unable to dismiss or table both articles, they could follow the precedent of several impeachment trials for federal judges over the last century and hold a vote to create a trial committee that would investigate the charges. While there is sufficient precedent for this approach, Democrats may prefer to end the process completely, especially in a presidential election year when immigration and border security are top issues.

The impeachment trial is the third in five years. Democrats impeached President Donald Trump twice, once over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-politics-election-2020-d78192d45b176f73ad435ae9fb926ed3">his dealings with Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-impeachment-vote-capitol-siege-0a6f2a348a6e43f27d5e1dc486027860">a second time</a>&nbsp;in the days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2021-united-states-capitol-riot">the Jan. 6, 2021, attack</a>&nbsp;on the Capitol.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-ut-state-wire-acquittals-politics-93c85dcfb0e6b2185391965e77ebea51">Trump was acquitted</a>&nbsp;by the Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-riots-trials-impeachments-b245b52fd7d4a079ae199c954baba452">both times</a>.

At a trial, senators would be forced to sit in their seats for the duration, maybe weeks, while the House impeachment managers and lawyers representing Mayorkas make their cases. The Senate is allowed to call witnesses, as well, if it so decides, and it can ask questions of both sides after the opening arguments are finished.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Wednesday opened the impeachment trial of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alejandro-mayorkas">Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas</a>&nbsp;over his handling of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-security-migrants-homeland-security-1c6e9f612dff721191c0254f980947a5">the U.S.-Mexico border</a>, swearing in senators as jurors while Democrats said they wanted to end the trial before arguments even begin.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that he will move to dismiss the trial, arguing that House Republicans' two impeachment articles “fail to meet the high standard of high crimes and misdemeanors" and could set a dangerous precedent.

“For the sake of the Senate's integrity and to protect impeachment for those rare cases we truly need it, senators should dismiss today's charges,” Schumer, D-N.Y., said as he opened the Senate.

Now that the the senators are sworn in, the chamber has turned into the court of impeachment, with Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington presiding. Murray is the president pro tempore of the Senate, or the senior-most member of the majority party who sits in for the vice president. Senators approached the front of the Senate in groups of four to sign an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/political-news-57ef0cdd29d9875b13713f4974eab9d5">oath book</a>&nbsp;that is stored in the National Archives.

The entire process could be done within hours. Schumer said he will seek an agreement from Republicans for a period of debate — an offer they are unlikely to accept — and then allow some Republican objections. He will them move to dismiss the trial and hold a vote.

To win that vote, Schumer will need the support of all of the Senate's Democrats and three independents.

If Democrats are unable to dismiss or table the articles, they could follow the precedent of several impeachment trials for federal judges over the last century and hold a vote to create a trial committee that would investigate the charges. While there is sufficient precedent for this approach, Democrats may prefer to end the process completely, especially in a presidential election year when immigration and border security are top issues.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats could end the impeachment trial of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alejandro-mayorkas">Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday before arguments even begin.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to call votes to dismiss two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas after senators are sworn in as jurors midday, a move that could scuttle the trial and frustrate Republicans who have demanded that House prosecutors be able to make their case. Democrats appear to be united in opposition to moving forward.

The House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-mayorkas-impeachment-vote-border-security-80cbd5bbb8f512c6814f155f825a1214">narrowly voted</a>&nbsp;in February to impeach Mayorkas for his handling of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-security-migrants-homeland-security-1c6e9f612dff721191c0254f980947a5">the U.S.-Mexico border</a>, arguing in the two articles that he “willfully and systematically” refused to enforce immigration laws. House impeachment managers appointed by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., delivered the charges to the Senate on Tuesday, standing in the well of the Senate and reading them aloud to a captive audience of senators.

The entire process could be done within hours on Wednesday. Majority Democrats have said the GOP case against Mayorkas doesn’t rise to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cc4471115abf4d7bad43e07cb64958d7">“high crimes and misdemeanors”</a>&nbsp;laid out as a bar for impeachment in the Constitution, and Schumer probably has enough votes to end the trial immediately if he decides to do so.

Schumer has said he wants to “address this issue as expeditiously as possible.”

“Impeachment should never be used to settle a policy disagreement,” Schumer said. “That would set a horrible precedent for the Congress.”

Mayorkas, who was in New York to launch a campaign for children’s online safety, reiterated that he’s focused on the work of his department. “The Senate is going to do what the Senate considers to be appropriate as that proceeds,” he said. “I am here in New York City on Wednesday morning fighting online sexual exploitation and abuse. I’m focused on our mission.”

Once the senators are sworn in on Wednesday, the chamber will turn into the court of impeachment, with Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington presiding. Murray is the president pro tempore of the Senate, or the senior-most member of the majority party who sits in for the vice president.

Exactly how Democrats will proceed on Wednesday is still unclear. Impeachment rules generally allow the Senate majority to decide how to manage the trial, and Schumer has not said exactly what he will do.

Senate Republicans are likely to try to raise a series of objections if Schumer calls votes to dismiss or table. But ultimately they cannot block a dismissal if majority Democrats have the votes.

🎥 Despite effort of Kan. Senator historic impeachment ends with no trial

NEW YORK (AP) —Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter was banned for life from the NBA on Wednesday after a league probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games, even betting on the Raptors to lose.

Porter is the second person to be banned by Commissioner Adam Silver for violating league rules. The other was now-former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling in 2014, shortly after Silver took office.

In making the announcement, Silver called Porter's actions “blatant.”

“There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment,” Silver said.

The investigation started once the league learned from “licensed sports betting operators and an organization that monitors legal betting markets” about unusual gambling patterns surrounding Porter's performance in a game on March 20 against Sacramento. The league determined that Porter gave a bettor information about his own health status prior that game and said that another individual — known to be an NBA bettor — placed an $80,000 bet that Porter would not hit the numbers set for him in parlays through an online sports book. That bet would have won $1.1 million.

Porter took himself out of that game after less than three minutes, claiming illness, none of his stats meeting the totals set in the parlay. The $80,000 bet was frozen and not paid out, the league said, and the NBA started an investigation not long afterward.

“You don't want this for the kid, you don't want this for our team and we don't want this for our league, that's for sure," Raptors President Masai Ujiri said Wednesday in Toronto, speaking shortly before the NBA announced Porter's ban. “My first reaction is obviously surprise, because none of us, I don't think anybody, saw this coming.”

Later, after the NBA revealed the ban, the Raptors said they are "fully supportive of the league’s decision to ban Jontay Porter from the NBA and are grateful for the swift resolution to this investigation. We will continue to cooperate with all ongoing inquiries.”

The league has partnerships and other relationships with more than two dozen gaming companies, many of whom advertise during NBA games in a variety of ways. Silver himself has been a longtime proponent of legal sports wagering, but the league has very strict rules for players and employees regarding betting.

And what Porter was found to have done was in violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which states: “Any Player who, directly or indirectly, wagers money or anything of value on any game or event in the Association or in the NBA G League shall, on being charged with such wagering, be given an opportunity to answer such charges after due notice, and the decision of the Commissioner shall be final, binding, and conclusive and unappealable.”

Silver cautioned last week that this move was possible, saying what Porter was accused of represented “cardinal sin” in the NBA. Porter has not commented since the investigation began, and never played for the Raptors again — he was listed as out for all of Toronto's games for the remainder of the season citing personal reasons.

The league also determined that Porter — the brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. — placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using someone else's betting account. The bets ranged from $15 to $22,000; the total wagered was $54,094 and generated a payout of $76,059, or net winnings of $21,965.

Those wagers did not involve any game in which Porter played, the NBA said. But three of the wagers were multi-game parlays, including a bet where Porter — who was not playing in the games involved — wagered on the Raptors to lose. All three of those bets lost.

“While legal sports betting creates transparency that helps identify suspicious or abnormal activity, this matter also raises important issues about the sufficiency of the regulatory framework currently in place, including the types of bets offered on our games and players,” Silver said. "Working closely with all relevant stakeholders across the industry, we will continue to work diligently to safeguard our league and game.”

Porter was on what is called a two-way contract, meaning he could play for both the Raptors and their affiliate in the G League. His salary for this year was around $410,000; had the Raptors signed him to a standard NBA contract next season, as seemed possible, his salary would have exceeded $2 million.

The 24-year-old Porter averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games, including five starts. He also played in 11 games for Memphis in the 2020-21 season.

ESPN first reported the investigation, which it said surrounded Porter’s performance in games on Jan. 26 and March 20. In both games, Porter played briefly before leaving citing injury or illness. Porter played 4 minutes, 24 seconds against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first of those games, then 2:43 against Sacramento in the second game.

In both of those games, Porter did not come close to hitting the prop-wager lines for points, rebounds and 3-pointers that bettors could play at some sportsbooks. For example, one set of prop wagers for Porter for the Clippers game was set at 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists; he finished with no points, three rebounds and one assist. For the Kings game, they were around 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds; Porter finished that game with no points and two rebounds.

The league said its probe “remains open and may result in further findings,” and that those findings are being shared with federal prosecutors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713394692575.png" alt="&nbsp;Jontay Porter photo Toronto Raptors" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Jontay Porter photo Toronto Raptors</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter was banned for life from the NBA on Wednesday after a league probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games, even betting on the Raptors to lose.Porter is the second person to be banned by Commissioner Adam Silver for violating league rules. The other was now-former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling in 2014, shortly after Silver took office.In making the announcement, Silver called Porter's actions “blatant.”“There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment,” Silver said.The investigation started once the league learned from “licensed sports betting operators and an organization that monitors legal betting markets” about unusual gambling patterns surrounding Porter's performance in a game on March 20 against Sacramento. The league determined that Porter gave a bettor information about his own health status prior that game and said that another individual — known to be an NBA bettor — placed an $80,000 bet that Porter would not hit the numbers set for him in parlays through an online sports book. That bet would have won $1.1 million.Porter took himself out of that game after less than three minutes, claiming illness, none of his stats meeting the totals set in the parlay. The $80,000 bet was frozen and not paid out, the league said, and the NBA started an investigation not long afterward.“You don't want this for the kid, you don't want this for our team and we don't want this for our league, that's for sure," Raptors President Masai Ujiri said Wednesday in Toronto, speaking shortly before the NBA announced Porter's ban. “My first reaction is obviously surprise, because none of us, I don't think anybody, saw this coming.”Later, after the NBA revealed the ban, the Raptors said they are "fully supportive of the league’s decision to ban Jontay Porter from the NBA and are grateful for the swift resolution to this investigation. We will continue to cooperate with all ongoing inquiries.”The league has partnerships and other relationships with more than two dozen gaming companies, many of whom advertise during NBA games in a variety of ways. Silver himself has been a longtime proponent of legal sports wagering, but the league has very strict rules for players and employees regarding betting.And what Porter was found to have done was in violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which states: “Any Player who, directly or indirectly, wagers money or anything of value on any game or event in the Association or in the NBA G League shall, on being charged with such wagering, be given an opportunity to answer such charges after due notice, and the decision of the Commissioner shall be final, binding, and conclusive and unappealable.”Silver cautioned last week that this move was possible, saying what Porter was accused of represented “cardinal sin” in the NBA. Porter has not commented since the investigation began, and never played for the Raptors again — he was listed as out for all of Toronto's games for the remainder of the season citing personal reasons.The league also determined that Porter — the brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. — placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using someone else's betting account. The bets ranged from $15 to $22,000; the total wagered was $54,094 and generated a payout of $76,059, or net winnings of $21,965.Those wagers did not involve any game in which Porter played, the NBA said. But three of the wagers were multi-game parlays, including a bet where Porter — who was not playing in the games involved — wagered on the Raptors to lose. All three of those bets lost.“While legal sports betting creates transparency that helps identify suspicious or abnormal activity, this matter also raises important issues about the sufficiency of the regulatory framework currently in place, including the types of bets offered on our games and players,” Silver said. "Working closely with all relevant stakeholders across the industry, we will continue to work diligently to safeguard our league and game.”Porter was on what is called a two-way contract, meaning he could play for both the Raptors and their affiliate in the G League. His salary for this year was around $410,000; had the Raptors signed him to a standard NBA contract next season, as seemed possible, his salary would have exceeded $2 million.The 24-year-old Porter averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games, including five starts. He also played in 11 games for Memphis in the 2020-21 season.ESPN first reported the investigation, which it said surrounded Porter’s performance in games on Jan. 26 and March 20. In both games, Porter played briefly before leaving citing injury or illness. Porter played 4 minutes, 24 seconds against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first of those games, then 2:43 against Sacramento in the second game.In both of those games, Porter did not come close to hitting the prop-wager lines for points, rebounds and 3-pointers that bettors could play at some sportsbooks. For example, one set of prop wagers for Porter for the Clippers game was set at 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists; he finished with no points, three rebounds and one assist. For the Kings game, they were around 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds; Porter finished that game with no points and two rebounds.The league said its probe “remains open and may result in further findings,” and that those findings are being shared with federal prosecutors.

Banned for life: NBA player bet on his team to lose

&nbsp;WASHINGTON —As of April 15, the Center for Disease Control has received reports of 19 people in 9 states who experienced harmful reactions after receiving counterfeit botulinum toxin injections (commonly known as “botox”) or injections&nbsp;administered by unlicensed or untrained individuals and/or in non-healthcare settings, such as homes or spas, according to a statement from the agency.

·Nine people have been hospitalized and four were treated with botulism antitoxin because symptoms were consistent with possible spread of toxin. No deaths have been reported.&nbsp;

Many of the products being investigated are counterfeit or were administered in non-healthcare settings, such as homes and spas, or by an unlicensed or untrained individual. Questions regarding product investigation should be directed to FDA.&nbsp;

The CDC, FDA, and state and local health departments are working together to investigate these reactions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp; Only get injections of FDA-approved botulinum toxin from licensed and trained professionals in healthcare settings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you need an injection of botulinum toxin for a medical condition, your doctor will choose the safest dose.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you get an injection of botulinum toxin for cosmetic reasons, go to a licensed and trained professional and get the injection in a medical or licensed setting.

&nbsp;Your state might have a license look-up tool you can check to see if a provider or setting has the appropriate license.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713382663849.png" alt="Counterfeit package FDA image" />
 <figcaption>Counterfeit package FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;WASHINGTON —As of April 15, the Center for Disease Control has received reports of 19 people in 9 states who experienced harmful reactions after receiving counterfeit botulinum toxin injections (commonly known as “botox”) or injections&nbsp;administered by unlicensed or untrained individuals and/or in non-healthcare settings, such as homes or spas, according to a statement from the agency.·Nine people have been hospitalized and four were treated with botulism antitoxin because symptoms were consistent with possible spread of toxin. No deaths have been reported.&nbsp;Many of the products being investigated are counterfeit or were administered in non-healthcare settings, such as homes and spas, or by an unlicensed or untrained individual. Questions regarding product investigation should be directed to FDA.&nbsp;The CDC, FDA, and state and local health departments are working together to investigate these reactions.&nbsp;&nbsp;What You Should Do:&nbsp;&nbsp; Only get injections of FDA-approved botulinum toxin from licensed and trained professionals in healthcare settings.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you need an injection of botulinum toxin for a medical condition, your doctor will choose the safest dose.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If you get an injection of botulinum toxin for cosmetic reasons, go to a licensed and trained professional and get the injection in a medical or licensed setting.&nbsp;Your state might have a license look-up tool you can check to see if a provider or setting has the appropriate license.&nbsp;Ask if the product is approved by FDA and obtained from a reliable source.&nbsp;&nbsp;If in doubt, don’t get the injection.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/symptoms.html" target="_blank">symptoms of botulism</a>, such as trouble swallowing or breathing, seek medical attention immediately. See a doctor or go to the emergency room.&nbsp;Do not wait.&nbsp;&nbsp;Symptoms of Botulism:&nbsp;&nbsp;Some localized effects can be expected following botulinum toxin injection. Your provider will explain these to you.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;More concerning botulism symptoms might include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are typically followed by muscle weakness that progresses over hours to days.&nbsp;See a doctor or go to the emergency room right away if you experience these symptoms.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Without treatment, botulism can lead to paralysis, respiratory failure, or death.  &nbsp;If you have questions about cases call the statehealth department.&nbsp;